The north raises the standard

Abstract

The solution proved less than stopgap, because it rapidly became apparent that the new troika did not represent the views of fully a third of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, not to mention the mass of estranged army officers: Vasco and Otelo commanded no popular clout, and officers were beginning to wonder whether they commanded any military clout either. The moderate Socialist officers around Melo Antunes had been unimpressed by the indiscipline of the Portuguese armed forces, and by the radicals’ failure to stop popular disturbances. Perhaps, after all, the extremists would crumble before popular discontent. Led by Melo Antunes, several members of the council temporarily boycotted its meetings.